A MAN has been convicted of the murder of Stephen Morrisson, six years after he was fatally attacked in Epping.

A jury found Ellis Heather guilty of murdering Stephen, who died on 23 June 2020 following a violent assault in a car park off Epping New Road, near the Wake Arms roundabout.

Stephen, who was 30 at the time of his death, suffered a fatal stab injury during the attack. Despite his injuries, he managed to leave the scene and seek help before tragically dying later in hospital.

Over the course of a four-week trial, the Central Criminal Court heard Heather had travelled from London to Essex as part of a group filming a music video, with the Epping car park used as a location.

As part of that filming the 25-year-old, previously of Taplow, Maidenhead, was on camera wearing a stab vest and handling exotic animals.

It was at the Epping New Road car park that Stephen initially came into contact with the group, including Heather.

Within a short space of time, an altercation took place and Stephen was attacked, sustaining the injuries that later led to his death.

This conviction follows a complex and far-reaching investigation.

In total, more than 200 hours of CCTV footage was examined, and the investigative team seized and reviewed more than 1,000 exhibits, 50 phones, almost 40 computer items and five vehicles as the case against Heather was meticulously built.

He had initially been arrested in the days after the incident and remained under investigation before being re-arrested in July 2025 and charged with Stephen’s murder.

Heather denied the charge and a trial was held at the Old Bailey. On Tuesday 23 June, Heather was found guilty of murder. A second man, Yonas Girma, 29, of Hanworth, was found not guilty.

Heather will be sentenced at the same court on 17 July.

In a statement Stephen’s family said: “Our family finally has some peace; Steve got the justice he deserved. This doesn’t take away the pain we feel of not having him with us”

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, our senior investigating officer, said: “This verdict finally delivers justice for Stephen and his family, six years after his life was so tragically taken.

“They have shown immense strength and patience as this case has progressed – often away from the public view – and our thoughts remain firmly with them today.

“This investigation has presented significant challenges and required the dedication of many officers and staff to ensure the truth was uncovered and the individual responsible was brought before the courts.”

DCI Wood added: “This work began on the evening of June 23 2020, and so many officers and staff played a part in this, some of whom have since left the force and I would particularly like to pay tribute to their hard work and their tireless dedication to securing justice for Stephen’s loving family.

“While no outcome can undo what has happened, we hope this verdict provides them with some sense of closure and they can move forward knowing the person for Stephen’s death have been held to account.”